Should I buy this prelude? - Honda Prelude Forum

preludatic · 06-11-2008, 01:26 PM

My fiance's boss just bought a black 1994 Prelude Si with 180k miles, for $2000. The car is in immaculate shape. Little rust spot on the moonroof and minor scratches. No aftermarket B.S. done to to, and the vehicle had two owners. (previous owner bought it in 1995 and has had it til this sale)

I drove it today and it runs real strong with no funky sounds coming from under the hood.

I have a 98 Civic 2dr EX with 192,000 and he decided he doesn't like the prelude because the cabin is too small. So i offered to make an even trade with him on my civic. The blue book values of both cars are exactly the same, but i need some third party insight on if I should take the deal.

I sold my 95 Si about two years ago and thought i'd never own a 4th gen again because they're so hard to find in good condition. Any thoughts would be helpfull. Thanks in advance.

lilbill97 · 06-11-2008, 02:02 PM

Are you buying or trading??

Artifex · 06-11-2008, 03:13 PM

Oh crap I remember your username.

Welcome back.

BBYlude · 06-11-2008, 03:17 PM

Assuming the car is in as good, or better mechanical order and has been maintained to a similar level as your Civic, I say do it. If it makes you happy and you're in just as reliable of a car w/ no out of pocket money I say why not.

stamen · 06-11-2008, 03:40 PM

don't do it, 180xxx miles on a 4th gen prelude is too much you will have issues if you just want a reliabel car keep the civic if you want to go a little faster get the lude.. my opinion

preludatic · 06-11-2008, 04:50 PM

i'm gonna upload a few pics and video to give you guys a better perspective.

JoeRogue · 06-12-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stamen

don't do it, 180xxx miles on a 4th gen prelude is too much you will have issues if you just want a reliabel car keep the civic if you want to go a little faster get the lude.. my opinion

I just got my 94 with 185k on it. The thing is great. I put a clutch in it, slave cylinder, clutch master, changed the oil, gonna do a timing belt. 185k is nothing to be scared of. If the car isnt pissing oil, it doesnt smoke, and it doesnt make you nervous with any weird sounds then go for it. 180k is the second timing belt time though just keep that in mind.

preludatic · 06-12-2008, 09:18 AM

Him and i traded cars over night to get a better feel for it. When i moved the car this morning there was one small drop of oil undernieth which makes me just a tad bit nervous.

Heres some pics

4thgenSi · 06-12-2008, 09:52 AM

hell yes, get it is the timing belt up to date? haha that seems like the only thing you have to worry about with these h23s good luck , beautiful car the only thing you siad is your cab aint big enough and the lude sure aint bigger inside than a civic.

JoeRogue · 06-12-2008, 12:34 PM

Thats a beautiful car. If it was a couple drips I wouldn't worry too much. Check the compression on all cylinders. If it is good, I would just keep an eye on the oil level. Mine leaks a bit too but not enough to worry me. Its a high mile motor, just look at it as "if it isn't leaking oil, it has no oil in it".

preludatic · 06-12-2008, 12:57 PM

ya it is definetly beautiful. I decided to trade him. Its way too nice of a 4th gen to pass up. How often can you find one that isn't wrecked, or beat to sht my some kid.

Quote:

the only thing you siad is your cab aint big enough and the lude sure aint bigger inside than a civic.

No, the guy i'm trading with didnt like the cabin size of the prelude... that was my big point to him when offering the trade

JoeRogue · 06-12-2008, 01:31 PM

HAHA. I traded my last car for my Prelude too. No where near as nice as yours. I love the car though so thats all that matters.

preludatic · 06-12-2008, 02:07 PM

hey how are the boston roads for preludes? I only ask cuz i'm moving up there in a year or so.

rigamortis · 06-12-2008, 02:32 PM

Nice car, lotta trading going on for preludes! I traded an HP laptop for a 93 prelude, it does need a new drivers door and a paint job. Other than that its.a great car, only about 139k miles. All in all not a bad deal.

JoeRogue · 06-12-2008, 03:12 PM

Boston roads are about as fun to drive on in a sporty car as sleeping on a bed of nails using itchy wool as a blanket and jagged rocks as a pillow.

Just to clarify. A co-worker just agreed with my description.

remy525 · 06-12-2008, 10:10 PM

tell him to give you some money to fix the oil leak, and you will be set. welcome back.

el_baby · 06-16-2008, 09:08 PM

almost like mine... but mine need a paint job...

my lude had a little oil leak, and when i changed the timming belt it stopped it.
the mechanic told me that it was leaking through the retairners or something like that...

it have the a/c system working fine?

rkonfire · 06-17-2008, 12:34 AM

You're worried about a little oil leak? Find me a 4th gen with 180k plus miles without an oil leak and I'll give you a hug

Hondas are known to leak, but as long as it still has oil in it it won't be a problem. Nice car for basically $2k.

preludatic · 06-17-2008, 09:36 AM

I forgot to mention, the AC works great!!! (surprising i know...)

the motor is a tad bit loud on it though... the one you can hear under the dash. Blower motor?

el_baby · 06-17-2008, 06:58 PM

the blower motor is under the dash... in the passenger side...
it could be a lil loud, and more in high speed..

no weird engine noises, when running and/or throwing gears?

pyro_maniac55 · 06-17-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

don't do it, 180xxx miles on a 4th gen prelude is too much

wow, you would just laugh at my car then,

rolled 300k last month,

keep close look on everything, but it runs better than any car i've ever driven

preludatic · 06-18-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_baby

the blower motor is under the dash... in the passenger side...
it could be a lil loud, and more in high speed..

no weird engine noises, when running and/or throwing gears?

ya the blower makes kinda like a ticking sound that gets louder the higher the AC is turned up.

Engine seems ok. Idles a little loudly especially when cold... I know prelude motors run louder than other hondas so i think i'm just not used to it.

natemanas · 06-18-2008, 09:43 AM

what a steal.. Mine is in great shape minus the perf. leather seats are shredded to bits.